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[VIDEOS] Racism in English cricket: Saj on Al Jazeera and BBC Radio 5 Live

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Is English cricket racist?



On Wednesday, November 10 at 19:30GMT:

Allegations of racism at England’s Yorkshire County Cricket Club are sparking a wider conversation about how minorities are treated in the sport.

A recent investigation found that one of the club’s former players, Azeem Rafiq, was routinely subjected to racial abuse and harassment. Rafiq says he often felt like an outsider and that the abuse got so bad he contemplated taking his own life.

The case received widespread condemnation from members of parliament including Julian Knight, chair of the House of Commons’ Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee.

Roger Hutton, the chairman of Yorkshire, resigned over the handling of Rafiq’s case. Two other board members also announced plans to step down as the fallout continues. Sportswear giant Nike announced it would no longer be the kit supplier for the club.

The Yorkshire saga has exposed what many say is an ugly truth. That despite a diverse fan base, English cricket is too white and does not reflect a changed UK. In this episode of The Stream, we ask whether English cricket has a problem with racism.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Lee Wellings
Author & Broadcaster

Alex Tudor
Former English Cricketer

Saj Sadiq, @SajSadiqCricket
Editor, PakPassion.Net
 
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That was interesting, thanks for sharing. It’s true, the real change would have to come from the white culture. However, Rafiq’s case has brought to light the issue of racism in cricket, and the difficulties of people from ethnic backgrounds. This should help reduce the amount of racism in domestic cricket, with clubs taking it more seriously now or else have restrictions put upon them on some way, e.g. not being able to host matches.

I also agree with what was said in the interview about players being expelled. A singular or recurring act of racism should lead to a player’s permanent omission from the team.

So by both putting restrictions on clubs for acts of racism, and on players by expelling them, that I believe is the best way forward.
 
Absolutely tragedy!
Asking Saj to prove that he is of press.
Unbelievable!
 
Yorkshire have the biggest problem with racism. Counties like Lancashire and Surrey seem to be much more tolerant and liberal. I have always hated Yorkshire.
 
Good debate and nice to see you getting the platform to express your views.

While the Rafiq case is the focus at the moment - it is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the asians I grew up with experienced racism at club level in the UK and this debate is important to ensure that the next generation of cricketers do not face similar experiences.

The world is a different place to where it was 20 years ago ( even 5 years ago!) and English cricket needs to reflect that.
 
well done Saj, good to see these views are now slowly starting to find their way onto the mainstream, and stories are now being shared, hopefully it will give confidence to more vicitims of racism and any form of discrimination to stand up and speak out now on past experiences, to ensure going forward things are done differently.
 
silentkiller187 said:
well done Saj, good to see these views are now slowly starting to find their way onto the mainstream, and stories are now being shared, hopefully it will give confidence to more vicitims of racism and any form of discrimination to stand up and speak out now on past experiences, to ensure going forward things are done differently.
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Thanks.

Enjoyed being on the show but I felt 30 minutes didn't do the topic justice.

There were so many more aspects regarding racism in English cricket that could have been discussed but we didn't have time to. Personal experiences, what I've seen, what others have told me, how we go forward and what needs to change.
 
English people are racist

closet racists... that comes out in 'banter' or behind closed doors
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Good debate and nice to see you getting the platform to express your views.

While the Rafiq case is the focus at the moment - it is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of the asians I grew up with experienced racism at club level in the UK and this debate is important to ensure that the next generation of cricketers do not face similar experiences.

The world is a different place to where it was 20 years ago ( even 5 years ago!) and English cricket needs to reflect that.
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Absolutely right.

This has been going on for too long and it's about time things changed.

At the moment there are lots of nice and fluffy words and statements, but let's see what actually changes and what is actually done about all this.
 
Things unravelling fast!

==

John Faragher has resigned with immediate effect as Chair of Essex County Cricket Club following a historic allegation of racist language used by him at a Board Meeting in 2017.

Faragher stepped down following a meeting of the Board on Thursday evening. Essex County Cricket Club does not tolerate discrimination of any kind and will immediately consider further steps the Club must take.

Faragher strongly denies the incident, however the Club will review why it was not fully and independently investigated at the time.

Newly-appointed Essex Cricket Chief Executive, John Stephenson, said: “There is no place for discrimination of any kind at Essex County Cricket Club.

“This is a proud Club with a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and any form of discrimination and, as Essex Cricket’s new Chief Executive Officer, I will not hesitate to uphold those principles and drive out any form of discrimination that is uncovered.

“I was made aware of this single allegation on Thursday having joined the Club four weeks ago. The Board met last night [Thursday] during which John Faragher’s resignation was unanimously accepted by the Board.

“We are committed to working with the England & Wales Cricket Board to eradicate discrimination from the game. This is an important first step, but the Club must now act further. Our internal reporting mechanisms will be reviewed to ensure that matters such as this are dealt with appropriately and immediately.

“I intend for those next actions to be communicated as soon as possible.”

The Club will be making no further comment.
 
Azeem Rafiq, was routinely subjected to racial abuse and harassment.
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That's a crock of proverbial...

Azeem Rafiq was a drunkard that engaged in 2 way racially abusive banter with his drinking mate and captain Ballance.

When his mate dropped him from the team, the pair fell out and the allegations of racism swiftly followed, and were equally swiftly dropped.

Roll on to 2020 and the landscape has changed vis a vis race relations, black lives matter etc etc and lo and behold Rafiq resurrects them.
 
Some shocking revelations coming out now - and what Saj alluded to in above video seems to be the tip of the iceberg.
 
In his article for ISport, Saj tells us that if one speaks to people from Asian backgrounds, one will soon realise that what Azeem has been saying rings true not just now, but has done so for generations.

PRI_210533883-1-640x360.jpg

If anyone had any lingering doubts about the gravity of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations regarding the racial bias against Asian cricketers that exists in the English game, they were firmly laid to rest in a matter of a few hours at a hearing in front of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee.

The pain and suffering that Rafiq says he experienced at the hands of Yorkshire, which was described in great detail, was a stark reminder about the malaise that has been endemic in the English game.

Rafiq stated that English cricket is institutionally racist. This may come as a shock or surprise to those from privileged backgrounds who still think of cricket as the gentleman’s game.

But to many from South Asian backgrounds, the only shocking element of Rafiq’s allegations and revelations is that people are surprised that this type of behaviour has been allowed to take place.

Up and down the country, ask the Asian schoolchildren, ask the Asian club cricketers, ask the Asian cricketers who are on county teams’ books and hoping to turn professional and ask the former professional players about their experiences and you will realise that what Azeem has been saying rings true not just now, but has done so for many years and generations.

The harsh reality is that this despicable behaviour and this culture has been accepted in English cricket for too long. Mocking another person’s religion, colour, calling them names and insulting them was just classed as banter.

For several decades those on the receiving end have just quietly accepted it or if they had the guts to report it, it was brushed under the carpet by those who should have ensured it was stamped out.

Some may feel that labelling English cricket as institutionally racist is too harsh. However, it will hopefully now mean that those in the corridors of power, those at county sides, the people at clubs up and down the country, coaches at all levels, the scouts, the stewards, the car park attendants, the security staff actually think about their actions, what they are saying and why their actions could be deemed as racist.

English cricket, it’s time to wake up, it’s time to walk the walk and prove to everyone that you are not institutionally racist.

https://inews.co.uk/sport/cricket/a...rience-cricket-familiar-british-asian-1304955
 
Will watch the video later today when I am in front of my tv, but props to Saj for doing this.
 
More than 1,000 people have contacted an inquiry into discrimination in cricket in the past week amid the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) opened a call for evidence from the elite and grassroots game on 9 November.

Rafiq made an emotional testimony to MPs on Tuesday about racist abuse and bullying he suffered at Yorkshire.

ICEC chair Cindy Butts said it showed that cricket "must change now".

She added: "Since launching part one of our call for evidence last week over 1,000 people have already come forward to share their experiences with us.

"It is crucial people across the game, many likely inspired by Azeem's bravery, have the chance to be heard."

Rafiq, 30, told BBC Sport on Wednesday he is "determined" that sharing his experiences of racism at Yorkshire will be the moment "not only sport but society as a whole" moved in a different direction.

He said he expects the "floodgates" to open and similar cases in county cricket to emerge, as he urged anyone who had experienced abuse in cricket to speak out.

"You've got to be honest and you've got to come forward and get it off your chest - you are going to be heard," he said.

"Whether anyone else stands by you or not, I'll stand by you."

Butt said Rafiq's "powerful testimony" can leave "no-one in any doubt that cricket must change, and it must change now".

She said that the issues he raised "get to the heart" of the ICEC's aim of looking into "the culture of the game, the lack of progression of Black and Asian players across the talent pathway and in the professional game as well as the governance and leadership of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on matters related to equity".

"We continue to urge anyone who has experienced discrimination to respond to our call for evidence," she added.

The ICEC was set up in November 2020, not long after Rafiq first publicly claimed that "institutional racism" at Yorkshire left him close to taking his own life.

Butts, who also sits on the board of trustees of football anti-discrimination body Kick It Out, was appointed chair in March.

Former Yorkshire, Glamorgan and Worcestershire player and umpire Ismail Dawood told BBC Radio 5 Live "the culture of cricket was archaic".

"Some of the things that went off there would never be accepted in any other environment," he added.

"It was a rather toxic environment and it looks like it still is."

A report by an independent panel found Rafiq had been a victim of "racial harassment and bullying" at Yorkshire, but the club said they would not take disciplinary action against any player, employee or executive.

Several senior members have resigned amid widespread criticism of the club's response, while kit supplier Nike and many sponsors have either ended partnerships or said they would not continue deals.

Yorkshire have also been suspended from hosting international matches by the ECB.

Dawood, who played for Yorkshire in 2004 and 2005, said the club "stuck its head in the sand and never tackled the problems of the culture at the heart".

He added: "They've never been interested or accepted that they have a problem. They always felt they were better than others and the recent debacle is there for all to see.

"It's really difficult for Azeem to talk about it and also myself because it's bringing back memories of how many of us were treated as subhuman."

New Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel, who apologised to Rafiq and settled an employment tribunal with him, said the club will address the charge of institutional racism "head on".

In a statement, the ECB said: "Azeem has shown incredible courage in speaking out, and we are appalled by what he has experienced. His evidence was harrowing, and this must be a turning point for our game.

"We utterly condemn racism or discrimination of any kind and there is no place for it in our game. We are thoroughly investigating these events, will take the necessary action, and must learn lessons as a game."

Dawood, who umpired in men's domestic cricket and two women's one-day internationals, withdrew an employment claim against the ECB in June, having previously said he intended to sue them after alleging "institutionalised racism".

The ECB said the allegations by Dawood and fellow former umpire John Holder were independently investigated and the claims of racism were not upheld.

They added the investigations did recommend an independent review of the processes around the appointment of umpires and that they have implemented several changes as a result of the review and are aiming to reach a target of 15% BAME umpires within the National Panel by end of this year.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/59323569
 
I feel bad for the PoC English cricketers from earlier eras who were not selected because of their race. Casual racism does lead to discrimination.
 
Saj speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live regarding racism in English cricket and the Azeem Rafiq controversy

 
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So will we see big changes in 2022 or will things remain the same?
 
Essex County Cricket Club (Essex CCC) has today been charged in relation to an alleged racist comment made in 2017 at an Essex CCC Executive Board meeting, and the subsequent failure by Essex CCC to conduct an appropriate, or any, investigation into the alleged racist comment.

The club has been charged with a breach of ECB Directive 3.3 which reads as follows:

"No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute."

A panel of the Cricket Discipline Commission will now hear the case, and adjudicate. A further update will be provided following conclusion of the case.
 
Pakistanis bring it on themselves because they should act better and change their mannerisms. The host people are very easily upset
 
ECB racist, incompetent or both?

In his latest video offering, Saj relates his rather worrying experience of trying to obtain accreditation from the ECB for 2024.

 
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During ongoing Practice Match between Pakistan and Prime Minister's XI they wrote **** instead of Pakistan or Pak.

Screenshot_20231207_181152_WhatsApp.jpg
 
FearlessRoar said:
During ongoing Practice Match between Pakistan and Prime Minister's XI they wrote **** instead of Pakistan or Pak.

View attachment 139819
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In clarification from Cricket Australia, they said: "The graphic was an automatic feed from a data provider which had not been used previously for a Pakistan game. This was obviously regrettable, and the error we corrected manually as soon as it came to light."
 
Jabo said:
English people are racist

closet racists... that comes out in 'banter' or behind closed doors
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To be fair we all have our fair share of racists. Education is key. Multiculturalism needs to be promoted in all schools. Ofcourse most schools promote this and infact are open to it but it is still going to take another 20 years to see a fundamental change in the mentality of the English people in general. As you mentioned the older gen still feel they are superior to a POC.

Good on saj to highlight the issues pertaining to racism in English cricket. Was a wonderful interview.
 
FearlessRoar said:
Cricket Australia is expert in generating controversies.
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All for views most likely. South Africa too. Have phd in such things. Very racist country and somehow get absolved from blame whenever they cheat.

Aussies are better than them tbh.
 
FearlessRoar said:
In clarification from Cricket Australia, they said: "The graphic was an automatic feed from a data provider which had not been used previously for a Pakistan game. This was obviously regrettable, and the error we corrected manually as soon as it came to light."
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Bet they won't try that with india or they will lose the ipl money.
 
It's a technologic error, what would they gain from intentionally using this word?
 
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kron said:
To be fair we all have our fair share of racists. Education is key. Multiculturalism needs to be promoted in all schools. Ofcourse most schools promote this and infact are open to it but it is still going to take another 20 years to see a fundamental change in the mentality of the English people in general. As you mentioned the older gen still feel they are superior to a POC.

Good on saj to highlight the issues pertaining to racism in English cricket. Was a wonderful interview.
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I think as a person of colour you only have to walk into certain places and you see the strange looks that you get.

Press boxes in cricket are an example of one such place.
 
Saj said:
I think as a person of colour you only have to walk into certain places and you see the strange looks that you get.

Press boxes in cricket are an example of one such place.
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Yea the older gen Brits are a pompous arrogant lot. It's changing albeit slowly. Soon we will take over.
 
ahmadharis1 said:
It's a technologic error, what would they gain from intentionally using this word?
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I bet this kind of rubbish will never fly against india. Australia though aren't bad. It's England and south africans who are much worse in terms of arrogance and attitude.
 
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